January 1
January 1
The euro debuts
New Year’s Day is the dawn of a new era in Europe, as 11 nations adopt a single currency, the euro. Now the official currency of 19 members of the…
A Year In History: 1999
This Year in History:
1999
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 7
January 7
President Clinton’s impeachment trial begins
On January 7, 1999, the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, formally charged with lying under oath and obstructing justice, begins in the Senate. As instructed in Article 1 of…
January 13
January 13
Michael Jordan retires for a second time
On January 13, 1999, the National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls announces his retirement from professional basketball, for the second time, in front of a…
January 19
January 19
First BlackBerry device hits the market
On January 19, 1999, the first BlackBerry pager, BlackBerry 850, is released. BlackBerry devices go on to drive explosive growth for upstart Canadian producer Research in Motion (RIM), dominating the…
January 19
January 19
Man charged in California cyberstalking case
A mere three weeks after California passed a law against cyberstalking, Gary Dellapenta is charged with using the Internet to solicit the rape of a woman who had rejected his…
February 4
February 4
Amadou Diallo killed by police
Plainclothes officers of the New York Police Department’s Street Crime Unit fire 41 shots at unarmed Amadou Diallo, an immigrant from Guinea, killing him on the steps of his apartment…
February 12
February 12
President Bill Clinton acquitted on both articles of impeachment
On February 12, 1999, the five‑week impeachment trial of Bill Clinton comes to an end, with the Senate voting to acquit the president on both articles of impeachment: perjury and…
March 7
March 7
Stanley Kubrick dies
On March 7, 1999, American filmmaker Stanley Kubrick dies in Hertfordshire, England, at the age of 70. One of the most acclaimed film directors of the 20th century, Kubrick’s 13…
March 19
March 19
Bodies found in Yosemite serial killer case
On March 19, 1999, law enforcement officials discover the charred bodies of forty‑two‑year‑old Carol Sund and sixteen‑year‑old Silvina Pelosso in the trunk of their burned‑out rental car, a day after…
March 22
March 22
Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo escapes from suspected serial killer in New Mexico
On March 22, 1999, a 22‑year‑old‑year‑old woman named Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo is found running naked—except for a padlocked metal collar around her neck—down an unpaved road near Elephant Butte State…
March 24
March 24
NATO bombs Yugoslavia
On March 24, 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commences air strikes against Yugoslavia with the bombing of Serbian military positions in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo. The NATO…
March 31
March 31
“The Matrix” released in theaters
On March 31, 1999, the writing and directing sibling team of Lana and Lilly Wachowski release their second film, the mind‑blowing science‑fiction blockbuster The Matrix. Born and raised in Chicago,…
April 20
April 20
Teen gunmen kill 13 at Columbine High School
On April 20, 1999, two teenage gunmen kill 13 people in a shooting spree at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, south of Denver. At approximately 11:19 a.m., Dylan Klebold,…
May 14
May 14
President Clinton apologizes to Chinese leader for embassy bombing
On May 14, 1999, President Bill Clinton apologizes directly to Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the phone for the accidental NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, that…
May 21
May 21
Soap star Susan Lucci wins first Emmy after 19 nominations
“The streak is over…Susan Lucci!” announces Shemar Moore of The Young and the Restless on this night in 1999, right before presenting the Daytime Emmy Award for Best Actress to…
June 16
June 16
SLA member captured after more than 20 years
On June 16, 1999, Kathleen Ann Soliah, a former member of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), is arrested near her home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Soliah, who now calls herself…
July 16
July 16
JFK Jr. killed in plane crash
On July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy, Jr.; his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy; and her sister, Lauren Bessette, die when the single‑engine plane that Kennedy was piloting crashes into the…
July 23
July 23
Woodstock ’99 begins
The music festival Woodstock ’99 opens on July 23, 1999. The festival—timed to the 30th anniversary of the original Woodstock—attempts to bring the spirit of peace, music, and love to…
July 30
July 30
“The Blair Witch Project” released in theaters
On July 30, 1999, The Blair Witch Project, a low‑budget, independent horror film that will become a massive cult hit, is released in U.S. theaters. Shot with shaky, handheld cameras,…
August 23
August 23
New York City reports first cases of West Nile virus
The first cases of an encephalitis outbreak are reported in New York City on August 23, 1999. Seven people die from what turns out to be the first cases of…
